Plastic straws (like most plastic) are non-biodegradable, meaning that it cant be naturally broken down by decomposers. (Its also important to remember that waste management is just one part of the global materials cycle. For wildlife, microplastics can be particularly dangerous; when eaten they can easily accumulate inside an animals body and cause health issues, like punctured organs or fatal intestinal blockages. Ill also go over whether or not plastic straw bans will actually help the environment, and explain everything else youll need to know. Plastic Straws: Is Paper Really Better for the Environment? Reduce Aesthetic value of your neighborhood. Participate in beach or river cleanups. Activists Say Straws Should Be Banned Because They Are a 'Gateway Plastic' Advocates hope a straw ban will be the first step toward broader plastic prohibitions. In my opinion, plastic straws should not be banned outright, because many disabled people require plastic straws to drink. If it looks clean, smells clean (and sounds clean! Nearly 20 years ago, a dead pelican was found with its stomach filled with 17 plastic bags [10]. In Taiwan, which was once overflowing with so much trash that it spurred public protest and the nickname Garbage Island, companies now either manage their own waste or subsidize government-run infrastructure. This is because the customers voluntarily reduce their consumption of plastic bags, which in turn provides enough time for retailers to find suitable alternatives and switch to them. Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Instead of investing in quality goods that will last, we often prioritize convenience over durability and consideration of long-term impacts. O This requires the usage of 500 million straws, Straws and other items made of plastic are harmful, Every day in the United States. You need to know what effects plastic bags have on the environment and health. 2. Plastic straws only account for roughly one percent of the total amount of waste plastic found in the ocean. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. The decrease in demand for plastic bags forces manufacturers to reduce their production and consider expanding in a supply of alternative products. Without further due, here are the top 3 ways kids can help, Read More 3 Ways Kids can Help the EarthContinue, What Are Microplastics? The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. Plastic items are more sanitary than other alternatives. Now, lets get into the negatives of a plastic straw ban: While banning plastic straws might help the environment in some aspects (well talk about this later), there are also many reasons against (or cons) of a plastic straw ban. Refineries where crude oil is turned into plastic make up one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector. McDonalds swapped its plastic straws for paper at its United Kingdom and Ireland restaurants. Single-use plastics are a glaring example of the problems with throwaway culture. Banning plastic straws is also increasingly popular. Our addiction to plastic also has negative impacts on the climate. In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. Learn how your comment data is processed. It is estimated that there are now 150 million metric tons of plastic in the ocean. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. In the United States alone, statistics reach up to 12 million barrels of oil that are used each year to produce even more plastic bags 100 billion more, to give you the precise number [5]. If environmental zealots and sycophants get their way, you won't be allowed to sip it through a plastic straw. What do the bans accomplish? The first answer to this question that comes to everyones mind is to stop using plastic bags, right? Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. However, I do believe that we should limit our use of plastic straws by asking businesses to only give out straws on request. This NRDC.org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer(s) must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.org and link to the original; the story cannot be edited (beyond simple things such as time and place elements, style, and grammar); you cant resell the story in any form or grant republishing rights to other outlets; you cant republish our material wholesale or automaticallyyou need to select stories individually; you can't republish the photos or graphics on our site without specific permission; you should drop us a note to let us know when youve used one of our stories. State Disclosures. Ideally, to be suitable for recycling, bags need to be clean to be accepted, which is often a problem, considering that we use them to carry groceries and potentially leaky goods. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. PLASTIC STRAWS CANT BE BROKEN DOWN BY NATURE. However, as an environmental enthusiast, heres what I think about this ban. (Photo credit: Shutterstock). Plastic is not the largest contributor of pollution and the . The most heartbreaking part of this is that the affected animals are not aware they eat something that will make them feel miserable and will slowly kill them. Policies like bottle bill lawswhich generally require retailers to add a fee on individual bottles, which can then be partially redeemed by customers when they recycleare a way to increase corporate responsibility for waste while providing a monetary incentive to recycle. These microscopic plastic fragments, no more than 5 millimeters long, are hard to detectand are just about everywhere. CRIDDLE:We need to think about what incentives will promote a culture of recycling and innovation with respect to waste streams. Juan Cristobal Cobo/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Not easy to recycle 7. In this essay on should plastic be banned, it is very important to put forth the fact that there are many bodies of health and environmental governance around the world who argue that plastic ban can be problematic stating the following reasons-. And the recent fracking boom, resulting in a surplus of oil, is fueling a subsequent rise in cracker plants, too. They discovered that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestl products were found most often. Alternatives to plastic straws, such as paper, may not always be effective for disabled people: paper can be bitten through or broken easily. This includes waste collection, regular cleanups to remove plastic bag litter along the roads or blown away from landfills and then even processing at landfill sites. Or you may need to accept that plastic bag this time and then start campaigning for a plastic bag ban in your area . Some tributaries of the river have been filled with plastic waste to the level that you could almost walk across them without getting your feet wet. Have some dirty clothes that you just wore today? Starbucks plans to phase out plastic straws by 2020. They're not alone. A 2018 study of coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific has confirmed that plastic waste deposited on coral reefs promotes outbreaks of diseases that gradually destroy whole reef colonies [12]. Many of you may have heard it already. The process of drilling for plastics source materials, oil and gas, leads to methane leaking and flaring and is often combined with clearing forests and wetlands that otherwise would have sequestered carbon. The Pasig River is the eight worst source of ocean plastic pollution in the world. Once a paper product has been contaminated with food or drink, it must be disposed of in a landfill. Carrying reusable bags and bottles is one great way to avoid single-use plastics in our day-to-day lives; more on preventing plastic waste can be found below. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Disney is eliminating single-use plastic straws and stirrers at all its theme parks, resorts and properties. Ill talk about this more in the next section: By itself, a plastic straw ban is unlikely to have a large impact on the environment. Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. Similar fate has met dolphins, seals, cats, dogs, deer and many other animals which got severely cut on their bodies due to plastic bag entanglement. An outright ban on plastic straws would create an accessibility problem for disabled people while dining in public. Buy in bulk. This amount of marine life, which includes fish and turtles, is sufficient to fill 125 school buses. We add another 8 million tons each year thats about five grocery bags full of plastic waste on every foot of shoreline around the world, according to a recent study. Another example of a locally issued ban is Seattle where not only single-use plastic bags have been banned but also single-use compostable and biodegradable bags. Increased awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastics would help the environment a lot more than just a simple plastic straw ban. Plastics also permeate freshwater systems like rivers and streams. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. Shuddering and unable to breathe, he vomited up five plastic bags. When you sip beverages through a straw you end up inhaling more air into your belly than you would otherwise. Beached whales have been found with stomachs full of plastic trash. Thats a promising start. Busca trabajos relacionados con Reasons why smoking should be banned articles o contrata en el mercado de freelancing ms grande del mundo con ms de 22m de trabajos. Unfortunately, such costs are typically not included in most economic analyses, as they are not easy to calculate because the equation would have to involve many indirect variables. Even if plastic doesnt end up in the ocean, recycled plastic is often exported from high-income countries to developing countries to process. Our waterway plastic pollution is particularly concentrated: Just ten rivers carry 93 percent of the worlds total amount of plastic that enters the oceans via rivers each year. Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. Many people with disabilities rely on flexible straws to drink safely and independently. A plastic straw ban could be a good step in the right direction, but we must use less single-use products overall to actually help the environment. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. Criddle and Leape are also senior fellows at theStanford Woods Institute for the Environment. And they help shift consumer mind-sets, as people begin to recognize that exorbitant and avoidable waste is not sustainable. Sugar and oils are too expensive. Tangled in trees and fences along roads, floating in water, lying on the ground in parks and forests, surrounding garbage bins, washed off on beaches. It is good for our environment, health and global climate. For most, straws are not a necessity, but a convenience. . This measure should encourage people to switch to reusable alternatives. Quick Navigation for Reasons Why Plastic Shopping Bags Should Be Banned REASONS 1. Ms. LISA PAI . One recent survey found plastics in 94 percent of tap water samples in the U.S. and in nearly every brand of bottled water. About; Disability Vote Blog; Organizer's Forum; Issues; News; NDLA Webinars It is possible to enhance ones risk of developing cavities by using a straw while consuming liquids that are either sweet or acidic. Many of the chemicals in plastics are known endocrine disruptors,and research has suggested that human exposure could cause health impacts including hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems like infertility, and even cancer. To align with global efforts, India banned single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. It started with cardboard straws, but once plastic production in America increased, people realized it was quicker and cheaper to produce plastic straws. National Geographic made a video on how helpless it feels to be caught in a plastic bag. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. There were numerous cases of birds caught in plastic bags, unable to fly and feed, eventually strangling themselves to death. 1. plastic straws litter our environment Every day, about 3-6 billion plastic straws are produced. Required fields are marked *. 6461 garfield street hollywood, fl. Some companies are taking initiative on their own. NRDCs Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans. About half the cost of making biodegradable polymers is the cost of feedstock. (Everything You Need To Know). Already in 2001, researchers found that the mass of microscopic plastic fragments in the North Pacific Central Gyre was 6 times higher than of plankton. Even when you dont see it, these indestructible particles are everywhere around us, including in the food chain. As part of the Break Free From Plastic movement, Greenpeace volunteers conducted an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines, sifting through tens of thousands of individual pieces across 42 countries to identify the pollutions sources. But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. Then, the straw got stuck in the turtles nose after she/he tried to cough the straw back out. Heres everything you need to know about the most ubiquitous (and avoidable) kind of plastic waste: the kind made to be tossed in mere minutes. The single biggest reason why people want to ban plastic straws is because of their negative effects on the environment. But, getting rid of all single-use plastics definitely will. By comparison, an estimated 46 percent of all pollution in the ocean is made up of lost or abandoned fishing gear (Vox). These examples could go on for a long time. Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. The crisis is so serious that many people are saying that plastic straws should be outlawed. 5 Metals in your Home that can be Recycled for Cash, How exactly bidets offer a healthier, green option for your bathroom, A Closer Look at General Motors (GM) Sustainability Initiatives. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. In the United States, California has banned single-use plastic bags in 2016, but the city of San Francisco has locally issued this ban already in 2012 and consumers pay a little fee for other alternatives like compostable bags or recycled paper bags. And when it comes to waste that lasts forever, every ton counts. Items made of plastic that come into contact with food can be recycled, whereas products made of paper that absorb both food and garbage cannot. India, for example, generates 25,940 tons of plastic waste every day but collects only 60 percent of it. By being aware about these issues, you will be ready to present some strong arguments why plastic bags should be banned in your area and answer questions of people who will become your ally if you will persuade them about your good intentions. by TFK Kid Reporter Maria Suarez, 10 Bellaire, Texas Plastic straws should not be banned until we can find alternatives that are affordable, environmentally friendly, and acceptable for disabled people. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. CRIDDLE:Cost is a huge issue. Accompanied by high social accountability and musical garbage trucks, that strategy has proved wildly effective: the island now reports recycling rates above 50 percent. Killing wildlife 5. Well, before putting it into the laundry basket, take a look at it closely. Microplastics were found in soft drinks like Coca Cola, in tap water, in seafood It has contaminated our food chain, so it should not surprise us that it can be tracked in our body. These modern conveniences are so ubiquitousand so quickly thrown outthat they hardly register in our minds. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option. Additionally, plastics in our digestive tract may affect absorption of some important trace elements (like iron) which we need for maintaining proper health [13]. New and sustainable business models are needed to address the current plastic deluge and also to enable a new generation of sustainable materials and technologies. If we ban single-use plastic straws we will have to turn to the dangerous alternatives.In source China 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned Manufacturers, Supply 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned with High Quality, Wholesale 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned with Low Price, High Quality. And recent studies found plastic in the guts of 90 percent of the seabirds tested and 100 percent of the turtles. Most of it is either dumped in landfills or ends up in the ocean. Plastic bags are often mistaken for food by animals, birds, and marine life. Stanford Reportspoke withJim Leape, co-director of theStanford Center for Ocean Solutions, andCraig Criddle, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, about the path to reducing ocean plastic pollution. You are free to have your own personal opinion on whether or not we should ban plastic straws. While an extra two cents may not seem like a lot, it could make a difference for some businesses that depend on plastic straws. If there is one piece of advice that everyone should remember, it would be that nothing is for free in this world. According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, microplastics are so small that they move straight through water filtration, Read More What Are Microplastics and Why Are They a Concern? 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned? Instead it ends up in landfills or in the environment. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. McDonald's recently announced . Plastics bags are not so much necessary that man cannot live without it. Other states such as Hawaii, cities such as Seattle and New York, and corporations such as Amazon and Starbucks are also considering or have initiated plastic phase-out plans. What Does the Plastic Bag Ban Mean for New Yorkers? Ultimately, we can further decrease costs and achieve economies of scale through decentralized production systems and perhaps also at large biorefineries. Straws have been found stuck in a sea turtle's nose and wedged in the stomachs of dead birds and dolphins. Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. The resulting number is staggering. However, one thing we know, is that by introducing a pollutant that may never break down in the environment can have implications that will far exceed any of our predictions. You could either discuss with a store manager a possibility of bringing your own containers for these products. Marine animals bear the burden of this influx of garbage into their habitats. We should just stick to plastic. This means that the average consumption of plastic bags per person dropped from 328 bags per year to just 21 [20]. Spare Yourself the Guilt Trip This Earth DayIts Companies That Need to Clean Up Their Acts, These Fanciful Sea Creatures Were Carried in on the Tide. Without proper education, few people would know the purpose of the ban, and they would continue using other single-use plastics which could be even worse for the environment. Tiny plastic particles have been found in human feces. Once the wheel starts spinning, it leads to even more positive changes. Oene Moedt-Foto Natura/Minden via National Geographic Images, Major Corporations and Single-Use Plastics, secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and research has suggested that human exposure, 4.8 million and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic, one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector, could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030, an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines. What does occur in most instances is that when out in the environment, the plastic breaks up into tiny microscopic pieces that get deposited in soils (where we grow food) or contaminate waterways. In fact, plastic bags are considered by many recycling facilities the number one contaminant and their removal from the recycling stream costs municipalities close to $1 million a year [18]. In 2008, a crocodile in Australia died because of 25 plastic bags filling its stomach [11]. But only a few of us realize that each time we accept those disposable plastic grocery bags at store checkout, we actively participate in wasting energy and depleting non-renewable resources. What never leaves, Read More Sustainable Diving & Snorkeling: How to Prevent Damage to Marine EcosystemsContinue, Top 3 Ways Kids can Help the Earth! For those governments that are opposed to full bans on plastic bags, another option is to institute a plastic bag tax, where consumers or retailers would pay a small fee for each plastic bag. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems facing our world today. Scientists are showing that we are sending tons of tiny plastic particles into our soils each year, potentially affecting crops and our health. (Source: Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment), Stanford scientists are among a growing number of researchers harnessing artificial intelligence techniques to bring more realistic representations of ubiquitous atmospheric ripples into global climate models. Getting rid of a single plastic straw may not have a very large effect on the environment. Its because Asian and US coastlines release large amounts of plastic waste in the ocean [7]. Once a person gets into the habit of bringing reusable bags when shopping, it is not much of an inconvenience at all. A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. This form of ban could lead to a reduction in landfill across the country, going a long way to protect the nature and serenity of the area. Individual choicesand the collective shifts they bring aboutadd up quickly. Plastic bags are a convenient way to carry our purchased goods when we go shopping. According to a study carried out in 2013, up to 35 percent of turtle deaths were caused by plastic ingestion and the probability that sea turtles will consume even more plastic increases every year [9]. She can remember all of her vehicles the Pontiac 6000, her familys car that was passed on to her when she went to college; the Volkswagen Rabbit, and later Fox, that took her through young adulthood; the Honda Civics,, Read More Car Recycling: Everything You Need to Know (With Statistics)Continue, Whether youre a scuba diver, snorkeler, or amateur swimmer, the ocean is a playground where you come to explore the beauty of nature and the difference from your regular lifes environment. Rating: 5 (913 reviews) Highest rating: 5. The crucial challenge is to ensure that these bans are just a first step, offering a natural place to start with low-hanging fruit so long as its part of a much more fundamental shift away from single-use plastics across the value chains of these companies and our economy. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. The consumed plastic congests the digestive tracts of these animals, and can lead to health issues such as infections, painful intestinal blockage, starvation or death by suffocation. The small pilot whale, found in a Thai canal this past June, is another symptom of a crisis in the worlds oceans. On other issues, from overfishing to deforestation, we have seen that consumer-facing companies like McDonalds, Unilever and Walmart can be exquisitely sensitive to the concerns of their customers. American beaver populations are booming in the western United States as conditions grow hotter and drier. In fact, the global backlash against plastic straws likely started after researchers off the coast of Costa Rica shared a viral video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck up its nose. Nows the Time. Our plastic addiction is having a devastating impact on our oceans, our wildlife, and our health. For many of us it is hard to imagine that something as small as a plastic bag can actually cause flooding, but residents of some cities in Bangladesh have been struggling with this problem every monsoon season for the past two decades [3]. Banning straws may confer 'moral license' allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part.
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